ArielSim

Toronto, ON, Canada

Raised by jazz and celtic musicians in the Canadian prairies, Ariel moved to Florida and Arizona where she lived for the majority of her young life. She continued to train primarily in jazz music, but connected deeply with diverse American and diaspora music cultures. She studied West African music and dance cultures at the University of Arizona through an Interdisciplinary degree, studying in Ghana with traditional artists like the late Bernard Woma (Ghanaian gyil player) and learning with mentors like Mike Vercelli (world music/percussion) and Barbea Williams (West African diaspora, Katherine Dunham technique). After her degree, Ariel worked as an anthropologist and intercultural designer as she continued to play music and dance with local groups. Ariel now lives in Toronto, where she works as a designer focused on ethical technology with organizations like the MaRS Discovery District. She continues her art career through her independent design and arts business: Conscious Creator